Coverslipping machine

ABSTRACT

A coverslipping machine (1) is embodied to be connected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as an electrical load; and removes specimen slides (4), having samples present thereon, from a specimen slide magazine (5) and respectively carries out a coverslipping process in which a mounting medium (7) and then a coverslip (8) are applied onto each specimen slide (4); and deposits the coverslipped specimen slides (4) in the specimen slide magazine (5) or in a further specimen slide magazine (55). The coverslipping machine (1) has an electrical energy reservoir (12) and an electronic control apparatus (13). The electronic control apparatus (13) detects disruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switches over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from the electrical energy reservoir (12), and carries out a safety routine that includes at least the safety steps of completing the coverslipping of specimen slides (4) already equipped with the mounting medium (7), and then depositing them in the specimen slide magazine (5) or in the further specimen slide magazine (55).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the U.S. national phase of InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2019/054629 filed Feb. 25, 2019, which claimspriority of German Application No. 10 2018 104 709.6 filed Mar. 1, 2018,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates to a coverslipping machine which is embodied to beconnected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied withelectrical energy as an electrical load; and which removes specimenslides, having samples present thereon, from a specimen slide magazineand respectively carries out a coverslipping process in which a mountingmedium and then a coverslip are applied onto each specimen slide; andwhich deposits the coverslipped specimen slides in the specimen slidemagazine or in a further specimen slide magazine.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A number of devices are used for sample preparation in a pathologylaboratory. Automated machines, in particular, are utilized in thiscontext.

Firstly the biological samples are fixed, dehydrated, and infiltratedwith paraffin. This is usually accomplished using a so-called processor.In the context of processing in a processor, the biological sample isusually present in a closed cassette having small openings for fluidexchange. Often, several cassettes are grouped together in containersand processed simultaneously. A processor is depicted and described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,722,811 B2. In this processor, the samplesare processed in a retort into which various chemicals are pumped.

After paraffin is infiltrated into the sample, it is embedded into aparaffin block. This can be done in particular in an automated embeddingmachine as depicted and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.9,671,322 B2.

Once the sample has been embedded into a paraffin block, furtherprocessing is effected by means of a microtome, with which the paraffinblock, along with the included sample, is sectioned into thin slices,called “thin sections,” that are each individually applied onto aspecimen slide. A microtome is depicted and described, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 7,273,000 B2. As a rule, the paraffin block is clampedinto a specimen holder of the microtome which performs an upward anddownward motion and thereby guides the sample over a microtome knife.The result is to produce thin sections of the sample, which are eachapplied onto a specimen slide and can then usually be further processedin a staining unit. A staining unit is known, for example, from U.S.Pat. No. 6,821,072 B2. In the staining process, each specimen slidepasses through several baths having reagents.

Once the staining process is complete, the stained thin section that ispresent on the specimen slide is covered with a coverslip. This canoccur, for example, in a coverslipping machine. A coverslipping machineis also depicted and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,072 B2. In thecase of the apparatus known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,072 B2, the twounits, namely the staining unit and the coverslipping machine, areconnected to one another via a transfer station.

In coverslipping machines, firstly a liquid mounting medium is appliedby means of a hollow needle onto the stained thin section, and thecoverslip is placed thereonto. Adhesive mounting media that act asadhesives, and are therefore also referred to in laboratory jargon as“adhesives,” are usually utilized. The mounting medium must then dry inorder to prevent the coverslip from shifting on the specimen slide. Thestained and coverslipped samples on the specimen slides are then viewedwith a microscope or with a microscopic scanning device for diagnosis. Ascanning device is depicted and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,133,543 B2.

During the process described, in most cases several specimen slides aregrouped together, above or next to one another, in transportablespecimen-slide magazines that are also called “racks.” These then passthrough the respective process in the various units.

In a coverslipping machine in particular, damage can occur to thesamples or even to the coverslipping machine in the event of a powerfailure.

The object of the present invention is therefore to describe acoverslipping machine in which, in the event of a disruption in the gridpower supply, damage to the samples is at least largely ruled out.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The object is achieved by a coverslipping machine of the kind recitedinitially which is characterized by an electrical energy reservoir andby an electronic control apparatus which detects disruptions in thesupply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of adisruption, switches over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from theelectrical energy reservoir, and which carries out a safety routine thatincludes at least the safety steps of completing the coverslipping ofspecimen slides already equipped with the mounting medium, and thendepositing them in the specimen slide magazine or in the furtherspecimen slide magazine.

It has been recognized in accordance with the present invention thatvery serious damage to samples and/or to a coverslipping machine canoccur if ongoing operation is suddenly interrupted by a power failure.It has been recognized in particular that damage can occur in particularbecause mounting medium dries out on or in components of thecoverslipping machine, or on samples onto which a coverslip has not yetbeen placed.

It has furthermore been recognized that damage can occur if thecoverslipping machine stops in a random and undefined operating state,especially if restarting from that state is not possible because, forexample, parameter values that are required, in particular within acontrol software program for control purposes or in order to identifythe individual samples, become lost, or if a restart is prevented formechanical reasons. It is also possible, disadvantageously, for damageto occur, or for the coverslipping machine to find itself in a statefrom which a restart is not possible, if the user attempts, by removingparts of the coverslipping machine that has halted in the undefinedoperating state, to gain access to samples that are being processed soas to remove them.

The invention avoids sudden stoppage of the coverslipping machine in theevent of a disruption in energy delivery from the power grid. Provisionis made for that purpose according to the present invention that anintelligent safety routine is carried out which includes at least thesafety steps of completing the coverslipping of specimen slides alreadyequipped with mounting medium, and then depositing them in the specimenslide magazine or in the further specimen slide magazine; and which inparticular can contain further safety steps such as temporarily shuttingoff components that are not critically necessary and carrying outactions to protect components of the coverslipping machine, as describedin detail below.

For example, the safety routine can contain, as a further safety step,conveying back into the specimen slide magazine specimen slides thathave been removed from the specimen slide magazine and are not yetequipped with mounting medium. Provision can advantageously be made, inparticular, that the specimen slide magazine is then transferred to anoutput, for example an output drawer, from which the user can remove it.This makes it possible, for example, for the user to manually coverslipspecimen slides that are equipped with thin sections.

The coverslipping machine can advantageously comprise a hollow needle,which is attached to a reservoir container having mounting medium andthrough which a predetermined quantity of mounting medium can berespectively applied onto the specimen slide, the hollow needle beingmoved relative to the specimen slide, preferably along the longitudinalaxis of extent of the specimen slide, upon application. In order toprevent mounting medium from drying in the hollow needle and cloggingthe hollow needle, the safety routine can advantageously contain, as afurther safety step, immersing into a solvent bath the hollow needlethat serves to apply mounting medium. The solvent can be, for example,xylene. Because it is advantageous, as already mentioned, if the hollowneedle is arranged in motorizedly movable fashion in order to apply themounting medium onto the specimen slide, it is advantageously easy toimplement the motorizedly controlled movability of the hollow needle insuch a way that immersion into a solvent bath is also enabled.

As already mentioned, provision is made according to the presentinvention that coverslipping of specimen slides already equipped withmounting medium is completed, and that they are then deposited in thespecimen slide magazine or in the further specimen slide magazine. Theadvantageous result thereof is that mounting medium that has alreadybeen applied is prevented from drying out before a coverslip has beenput in place. The safety routine can advantageously contain, as afurther safety step, then transferring the further specimen slidemagazine to an output, for example an output drawer, for removal by theuser. This has the particular advantage that the user can remove thecompletely coverslipped specimen slide from the coverslipping machinedespite the disruption in electrical power delivery.

In particular in order to reduce stress on the energy reservoir of thecoverslipping machine, the safety routine can comprise switching off,while the safety steps are being carried out, at least one energy loadof the coverslipping machine which is not needed in order to carry outat least one safety step. While the safety routine is being carried outit is possible, for example, to shut off a display, a heating device, apump, or a transport device until the safety routine has ended or forshorter time intervals while the safety routine is executing, if thoseelectrical loads are not absolutely necessary for carrying out thesafety steps of the safety routine or for maintaining the environmentalparameters that are important for obtaining the samples. Advantageously,a longer energy reservoir operating time is thereby obtained, whilesimultaneously eliminating the need to install excessively large energyreservoirs in order to ensure that, in the event of a failure ofelectrical grid power, enough energy is available to ensure that thesafety routine can reliably be carried out to completion.

The control apparatus is preferably embodied in such a way that, in theevent of a disruption in the supply of electrical grid power, itswitches over without interruption to a withdrawal of electrical energyfrom the electrical energy reservoir. An embodiment of this kind has thevery particular advantage that even very short interruptions in theoperation of the coverslipping machine are effectively prevented, sinceeven such interruptions can result in damage, for example if a restartof the coverslipping machine after a brief interruption of this kind isnot possible without further interventions.

The safety routine preferably comprises conveying the components of thecoverslipping machine into a state from which a restart in normaloperating mode is possible without damage. Provision can alsoadvantageously be made, for example, that operating parameters that areimportant for processing of the sample, and/or data for identifying theindividual specimen slides, are stored in an, in particular, nonvolatiledata memory so that said data can be accessed upon a restart. The datafor identifying the specimen slides can relate, in particular, to thespecimen slides that have already been coverslipped, so that after arestart in normal operating mode, only the un-coverslipped ones arereliably coverslipped in the coverslipping machine.

In the normal operating mode, the energy needed to carry out the stepsrequired for coverslipping is then once again taken from the electricalpower grid to which the coverslipping machine is connected.

In a particular embodiment, provision is made that, once the safetyroutine has been carried out, the coverslipping machine is switchableback into a normal operating mode, except that the control apparatuspermits switching back only if a disruption in the supply of electricalenergy from the power grid no longer exists and/or if the electricalenergy reservoir is in a predetermined or predeterminable minimum chargestate. In particular, provision can advantageously be made that, oncethe safety routine has been carried out, the control apparatus switchesautomatically back into a normal operating mode when it detects that adisruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power no longerexists.

A particularly secure and reliable embodiment of the coverslippingmachine according to the present invention is one in which a restart inthe normal operating mode is possible only when the electrical energyreservoir is in a predetermined or predeterminable minimum charge state.This embodiment has the particular advantage of ensuring that the safetyroutine can be executed again if a further disruption in grid powersupply should occur.

A very particularly advantageous embodiment of the coverslipping machineis one in which, once the safety routine has been carried out, thecontrol apparatus switches automatically back into a normal operatingmode when it detects that a disruption in the supply of electricalenergy from the power grid no longer exists, and the electrical energyreservoir is in a predetermined or predeterminable minimum charge state.The minimum charge state is preferably dimensioned in such a way thatthe safety routine can reliably be carried out in the event of anotherfailure of grid power.

As mentioned earlier, a number of devices for processing and analyzingbiological samples are used in a pathology laboratory. In light of theabove, a system that includes a coverslipping machine according to thepresent invention and a further automated machine for processing orinvestigating biological samples is very particularly advantageous, saidsystem likewise being embodied to be connected to an electrical powergrid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as a load, thecoverslipping machine and the further automated machine beingelectrically connected or connectable in such a way that electricalenergy is transferable from the energy reservoir of the coverslippingmachine to the further automated machine, and/or that electrical energyis transferable from the further automated machine to the coverslippingmachine.

Such a system has the very particular advantage that electrical energycan be transferred to the further automated machine if necessary, forexample so that a safety routine can be carried out there.

An automated machine for processing or investigating biological sampleswhich is particularly advantageous very generally and in accordance withan independent inventive idea is one which is embodied to be connectedto an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electricalenergy as a load, and which takes samples from a magazine and deliversthem respectively to a processing process in which at least oneprocessing step is carried out, and which then deposits the processedsamples in the magazine or in a further magazine, the automated machinecomprising an electrical energy reservoir and an electronic controlapparatus which detects disruptions in the supply of electrical energyfrom the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switches over toa withdrawal of electrical energy from the electrical energy reservoir,and which carries out a safety routine that includes at least the safetysteps of completing the processing of samples that are already in theprocessing process, and then conveying them into a safe position.

The transfer into a safe position can comprise, for example, depositingsamples in a specimen slide magazine; advantageously, provision canfurthermore be made in particular that in the context of execution ofthe safety routine, the specimen slide magazine is then transferred toan output, for example to an output drawer, for removal by a user.

The automated machine for processing or investigating biological samplescan be embodied, for example, as a stainer. In a stainer in particular,provision can advantageously be made that the safety routine comprisestransferring the transport system into a safe state. Alternatively oradditionally, the safety routine in the context of a stainer cancomprise in particular storing the parameters of the currently runningstaining program in an, in particular nonvolatile, data memory.Restarting is thereby facilitated, since the parameters can be accessedby reading out the data memory. Provision can furthermore advantageouslybe made that the safety routine comprises safely parking a specimenslide magazine that is in the transport process, in order to avoiddamage to the specimen slides and/or to the samples present thereonand/or in order to prevent them from coming into contact with incorrectstaining solutions.

The automated machine for processing or investigating biological samplescan also be embodied, for example, as an automatic processor or as anautomated embedding machine or as an automatic scanner or as anautomatic microtome. With such embodiments as well, in particularanalogously to embodiments as a coverslipping machine or as a stainer,it is advantageously possible to perform a respective safety routinethat carries out in analogous fashion at least one of the safety stepsdescribed here by way of example for a coverslipping machine or astainer.

The aforementioned automated machines each carry out a plurality ofprocess steps, some of which are time-critical, so that loss of ordamage to the respective sample can occur if the intended processingtime is too short or is exceeded. For example, drying of the samples inthe processor or in the stainer, or the aforementioned drying out ofmounting medium on the sample that has not yet been equipped with acoverslip, can result in damage to the respective sample in thecoverslipping machine. There are also process steps in which predefinedenvironmental parameters, in particular temperature and/or pressure,must be maintained. In particular, a variety of process steps areprovided in which the samples must be processed at a specific pressure,in particular at a pressure below 1 bar, and/or at a minimumtemperature, in particular a temperature higher than 20° C. If thepredefined environmental parameters are not maintained, damage to therespective sample can occur.

Provision can advantageously be made according to the present inventionthat the respective safety routine of the automated machine carries outcorresponding safety steps in order to avoid damage to the samples andto the machine in consideration of those aspects. This preferablyincludes maintaining important parameters, such as pressure andtemperature, at least until the safety routine is complete, to theextent that damage to the samples is ruled out and/or that importantprocess data, in particular with regard to a restart in normal operatingmode, are temporarily stored.

In an automatic coverslipping machine or an automatic scanner, forexample, the specimen slides arranged in the specimen slide magazine areautomatically removed individually and are conveyed to a processingstation. It is important in this context that the association of thespecimen slides with the respective cassette compartment of the specimenslide magazine not be lost, and that the transport process be completed.In particular, temporary storage of the relevant data is especiallyadvantageous in the context of execution of the safety routine.

In light of the above, a system that is particularly advantageous verygenerally and in accordance with an independent inventive idea is one inwhich two automated machines for processing or investigating biologicalsamples are connected in such a way that electrical energy istransferable from the energy reservoir of one of the units to the otherunit as necessary. As indicated above, it is possible and particularlyadvantageous for at least one of the units to be embodied as acoverslipping machine. This is not, however, absolutely necessary forimplementation of this independent inventive idea. It is instead alsopossible for the above-described system to comprise a different furtherautomated machine instead of a coverslipping machine. Very generally, itis advantageous to connect two identical or different automated machinesin the manner described to yield a system. It is possible in thiscontext for each of the automated machines to be embodied as anautomatic scanner or as an automated machine for embedding samples intoa paraffin block or as a stainer or as an automatic processor or as acoverslipping machine. The descriptions below of particular embodimentswhich refer to a system that includes a coverslipping machine are tothat extent also analogously applicable according to the presentinvention to systems that have several automated machines for processingor investigating biological specimens and do not contain coverslippingmachines.

With reference to a system that includes a coverslipping machineaccording to the present invention and at least one further automatedmachine for processing or investigating biological samples, provisioncan advantageously be made that the further automated machine includes afurther electrical energy reservoir; and that the coverslipping machineand the further automated machine are electrically connected orconnectable in such a way that electrical energy is transferable fromthe further energy reservoir to the coverslipping machine and/or thatelectrical energy is transferable from the coverslipping machine to thefurther automated machine, in particular to the further energyreservoir. The advantageous result of this is that the further automatedmachine can also carry out a safety routine if necessary, in whichcontext it can access the energy from its own further energy reservoiror, in particular if the latter is not sufficient, can be supplied withelectrical energy from the energy reservoir of the coverslippingmachine. Conversely, with such an embodiment it is also possible tosupply the coverslipping machine with electrical energy from the furtherenergy reservoir of the further automated machine if necessary, if theelectrical energy of the energy reservoir of the coverslipping machinehappens to be insufficient for carrying out the safety routine of thecoverslipping machine.

With regard to the further automated machine provision canadvantageously be made in particular, very generally, that the furtherautomated machine removes samples from a magazine and respectivelycarries out a processing process in which at least one processing stepis carried out, and then deposits the processed sample in the magazineor in a further magazine. It is especially advantageous, in particular,if the automated machine comprises a further electrical energy reservoiras well as a further electronic control apparatus which detectsdisruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and,in the event of a disruption, switches over to a withdrawal ofelectrical energy from the further electrical energy reservoir, andwhich carries out a further safety routine that includes at least thesafety steps of completing the processing of samples that are already inthe processing process, and then conveying them into a secure position.

As has already been mentioned with reference to a coverslipping machine,provision can advantageously also be made analogously, with reference toa further automated machine, that processing parameters that areimportant for processing the sample, and/or data for identifying theindividual samples, are stored in an, in particular nonvolatile, datamemory so that said data can be accessed upon a restart. The data foridentifying the samples can relate in particular to the samples thathave already been processed, so that after a restart in the normaloperating mode, only the unprocessed samples can reliably be processed.

Alternatively, with regard to the further automated machine provisioncan also advantageously be made, very generally, that the furtherautomated machine receives samples that are arranged in magazines andcarries out, on the samples respectively arranged in a magazine, aprocessing process in which at least one processing step is carried out,and then outputs the magazine having the collectively processed samples.It is preferable in this context if all the samples that are arranged ina magazine are processed identically and simultaneously in theprocessing process. In this embodiment as well, the further automatedmachine preferably comprises a further electrical energy reservoir and afurther electronic control apparatus which detects disruptions in thesupply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of adisruption, switches over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from thefurther electrical energy reservoir, and which carries out a furthersafety routine that includes at least the safety steps of completing theprocessing of magazines that have samples and are already in theprocessing process, and then conveying them into a safe position.

With reference to a further automated machine of this kind as well,provision can advantageously be made in particular that processingparameters that are important for the processing magazines and/or of thesamples present therein, and/or data for identification of theindividual magazines and/or samples, are stored in an, in particularnonvolatile, data memory so that said data can be accessed upon arestart. The data for identification can relate in particular to themagazines that have already been processed, so that after a restart innormal operation, only the unprocessed magazines can reliably beprocessed.

A further automated machine of this kind can be, for example, a stainerin which magazines, together with the samples present therein, areimmersed successively into various baths, in particular baths havingstaining chemicals. Provision can be made here that all the magazinespass through the same sequence of baths. It is nevertheless alsoadvantageously possible for different magazines to pass throughdifferent combinations of baths in order to subject the samples that arearranged in one magazine to a different staining process from thesamples that are arranged in another magazine. It is especiallyimportant in this context that processing parameters that are importantfor the processing magazines and/or the samples present therein, and/ordata for identification of the individual magazines and/or samples, bestored in an, in particular nonvolatile, data memory in the event of adisruption in the supply of grid power, in particular in order to avoidproblems upon restarting.

A possible embodiment of a system according to the present inventionwhich comprises a coverslipping machine and a further automated machineembodied as a stainer is particularly advantageous. Provision canadvantageously be made in this context, in particular, that thecoverslipping machine and the stainer are coupled in such a way that thecoverslipping machine can automatically transfer specimen slidemagazines, having samples that have already been coverslipped, to thestainer, which then performs a staining process on the samples arrangedin the specimen slide magazine.

Provision can advantageously be made in this context, in particular,that the control apparatus of the coverslipping machine or a furthercontrol apparatus of the further automated machine establishes theelectrical connection, in particular automatically, when it detects adisruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid.

An embodiment in which the control apparatus establishes the electricalconnection, in particular automatically, when it detects a disruption inthe supply of electrical energy from the power grid and ascertains thatthe current charge state of the energy reservoir is predicted to beinsufficient for carrying out the safety routine, is very particularlyadvantageous. Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be madethat the further control apparatus of the further automated machineestablishes the electrical connection, in particular automatically, whenit detects a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from thepower grid and ascertains that the current charge state of the furtherenergy reservoir is predicted to be insufficient for carrying out thefurther safety routine.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control apparatus controls thetransfer of electrical energy from the coverslipping machine to thefurther automated machine and/or the transfer of electrical energy fromthe further automated machine to the coverslipping machine, inparticular in accordance with demand. Alternatively, it is also possiblefor the further control apparatus of the further automated machine tocontrol the transfer of electrical energy from the coverslipping machineto the further automated machine and/or the transfer of electricalenergy from the further automated machine to the coverslipping machine,in particular in accordance with demand.

In a very particularly advantageous embodiment of the system, thecontrol apparatus and a further control apparatus of the furtherautomated machine together control the transfer of electrical energyfrom the coverslipping machine to the further automated machine and/orthe transfer of electrical energy from the further automated machine tothe coverslipping machine, in particular in accordance with demand.Provision can advantageously be made in this context, in particular, forthe control apparatus to transfer data regarding the charge state and/orthe predicted remaining operating time of the energy reservoir to thefurther control apparatus, and/or for the further control apparatus totransfer data regarding the charge state of the further energyreservoir, and/or the predicted remaining operating time of the furtherenergy reservoir, to the control apparatus.

The further automated machine can be, for example, an automatic scanneror an automated machine for embedding samples into a paraffin block or astainer or an automatic processor or a further coverslipping machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

The subject matter of the invention is depicted schematically and by wayof example in the drawings, and will be described below with referenceto the Figures, identical or identically functioning elements usuallybeing labeled with the same reference characters even in differentexemplifying embodiments. In the Figures:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplifying embodiment of a coverslippingmachine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically shows an exemplifying embodiment of a system thatincludes a coverslipping machine and a further automated machine; and

FIG. 3 schematically shows another exemplifying embodiment of a systemthat includes a coverslipping machine and several further automatedmachines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows, very schematically, an exemplifying embodiment of acoverslipping machine 1 according to the present invention.Coverslipping machine 1 comprises a power plug 2 and a connector cable 3with which it can be connected to an electrical power grid (notdepicted). Coverslipping machine 1 is embodied to remove specimen slides4, having samples present thereon, from a specimen slide magazine 5 anddeliver them to a coverslipping process in which a mounting medium 7 isapplied by means of a hollow needle 6, and then a coverslip 8 isapplied, onto each specimen slide 4.

Hollow needle 6 can be moved in motorizedly controlled fashion, by meansof a manipulator 9, within housing 10 of coverslipping machine 1.Provision is made in particular that upon the application of mountingmedium 7, hollow needle 6 is moved relative to the respective specimenslide 4 that is currently to be coverslipped, in order to distributemounting medium 7 on specimen slide 4.

Coverslips 8 that are to be applied are individually removed, by meansof a further manipulator 11, from a reservoir container (not depicted)and transported to specimen slide 4 that is currently being processed.Once the coverslip has been applied, the respective specimen slide 4that has just been coverslipped is deposited in a further specimen slidemagazine 8.

In the normal operating mode, the energy necessary for carrying out thesteps required for coverslipping is withdrawn from the electrical powergrid to which coverslipping machine 1 is connected via power plug 2 andconnector cable 3.

Coverslipping machine 1 comprises an electrical energy reservoir 12 andan electronic control apparatus 13. Electronic control apparatus 13 isembodied to detect, by means of a sensor 14, disruptions in the supplyof electrical energy from the power grid to which coverslipping machine1 is connected. In the event of a disruption, control apparatus 14switches to a withdrawal of electrical energy from electrical energyreservoir 12, and carries out a safety routine that includes at leastthe safety steps of completing the coverslipping of specimen slides 4already equipped with mounting medium 7, i.e. providing them with acoverslip 7, and then depositing them correctly in further specimenslide magazine 8.

The safety routine furthermore comprises, as a further safety step,dipping hollow needle 6 into a solvent bath 15 that contains a solvent,in order to prevent mounting medium 7 from drying out in hollow needle6.

FIG. 2 shows a system that includes an exemplifying embodiment of acoverslipping machine 1 according to the present invention.Coverslipping machine 1 is depicted merely schematically andincompletely; for better clarity, only power plug 2, connector cable 3,energy reservoir 12, and control apparatus 13 along with sensor 14 areshown, while the remaining components of coverslipping machine 1 are notdepicted.

The system furthermore includes a further automated machine 16 that canbe embodied, for example, as a processor 24, an automatic embeddingmachine 25, an automatic microtome 26, a stainer 27, or an automaticscanner 28. The further automated machine 16 includes a further energyreservoir 18 as well as a further control apparatus 19 having a furthersensor 17. Further automated machine 16 is embodied, just likecoverslipping machine 1, to be connected to an electrical power grid inorder to be supplied with electrical energy as a load, and comprises forthat purpose a further power plug 20 and a further connector cable 21.

Further automated machine 16 can be embodied in particular to removesamples (not depicted) from a magazine (not depicted) and to carry out arespective processing process in which at least one processing step iscarried out, and then to deposit the processed sample in the magazine orin a further magazine (not depicted). Further automated machine 16 aswell is embodied to detect disruptions in the supply of electricalenergy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, to switchto a withdrawal of electrical energy from the further electrical energyreservoir 18 and to carry out a safety routine. The safety routine canadvantageously comprise, in particular, completing the processing ofsamples that are already in the processing process, and then conveyingthem into a safe position.

Coverslipping machine 1 and further automated machine 16 areelectrically connected via a supply lead 22 in such a way thatelectrical energy is transferable from energy reservoir 12 ofcoverslipping machine 1 to further automated machine 16, and/or so thatelectrical energy is transferable from further automated machine 16,namely from its energy reservoir 18, to energy reservoir 12 ofcoverslipping machine 1.

Also present is a data connection 23 by way of which control apparatus13 and further control apparatus 19 exchange data regarding the currentcharge state and/or regarding a precalculated remaining operating time.The data are used in order to distribute the available energy of energyreservoir 12 and of further energy reservoir 19 in accordance withdemand, so that in the event of a disruption in the grid power supply,coverslipping machine 1 and further automated machine 16 can each carryout their safety routine in order to prevent damage to the samples or tothe equipment.

FIG. 3 shows another exemplifying embodiment of a system that includes acoverslipping machine 1 and further automated machines. The furtherautomated machines are embodied as a processor 24, an automaticembedding machine 25, an automatic microtome 26, a stainer 27, and anautomatic scanner 28. Each of these automated machines comprises afurther energy reservoir 18 and a further control apparatus 19, energyreservoir 12 and further energy reservoirs 18 being connected to oneanother, respectively via control apparatus 13 and via further controlapparatuses 19 and a supply lead 22, in order to be able to provide adistribution of the available electrical energy, in the event of afailure of grid power, between automated machines 1, 24, 25, 27, 28 inaccordance with demand. Provision is advantageously made for thatpurpose that data regarding the charge states and predicted energydemand for carrying out the respective safety routines is exchangedamong automated machines 1, 24, 25, 27, 28 in order to distribute theavailable electrical energy of energy reservoir 12 and of further energyreservoirs 18 in accordance with demand, in such a way that eachautomated machine 1, 24, 25, 27, 28 can perform its entire safetyroutine.

PARTS LIST

-   -   1 Coverslipping machine    -   2 Power plug    -   3 Connector cable    -   4 Specimen slide    -   5 Specimen slide magazine    -   6 Hollow needle    -   7 Mounting medium    -   8 Coverslip    -   9 Manipulator    -   10 Housing    -   11 Further manipulator    -   12 Energy reservoir    -   13 Control apparatus    -   14 Sensor    -   15 Solvent bath    -   16 Further automated machine    -   17 Further sensor    -   18 Further energy reservoir    -   19 Further control device    -   20 Further power plug    -   21 Further connector cable    -   22 Supply lead    -   23 Data connection    -   24 Processor    -   25 Automatic embedding machine    -   26 Automatic microtome    -   27 Stainer    -   28 Automatic scanner

1. A coverslipping machine (1) configured to be connected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as an electrical load; and which removes specimen slides (4), having samples present thereon, from a specimen slide magazine (5) and respectively carries out a coverslipping process in which a mounting medium (7) and then a coverslip (8) are applied onto each specimen slide (4); and which deposits the coverslipped specimen slides (4) in the specimen slide magazine (5) or in a further specimen slide magazine (55), the coverslipping machine comprising: an electrical energy reservoir (12); and an electronic control apparatus (13) which detects disruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switches over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from the electrical energy reservoir (12), and which carries out a safety routine including at least the safety steps of completing the coverslipping of specimen slides (4) already equipped with the mounting medium (7), and then depositing the completed specimens slides (4) in the specimen slide magazine (5) or in the further specimen slide magazine
 55. 2. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the safety routine includes, as a further safety step, conveying back into the specimen slide magazine (5) specimen slides (4) that have been removed from the specimen slide magazine (5) and are not yet equipped with mounting medium (7).
 3. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the safety routine includes, as a further safety step, immersing into a solvent bath (15) a hollow needle (6) that serves to apply mounting medium (7).
 4. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the safety routine contains, as a further safety step, transferring the specimen slide magazine (5) and/or the further specimen slide magazine 55 to an output for removal by a user.
 5. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the safety routine comprises switching off, while the safety steps are being carried out, at least one energy load of the coverslipping machine (1) which is not needed in order to carry out at least one safety step.
 6. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the safety routine comprises conveying the coverslipping machine (1) into a state from which a restart in normal operating mode is possible without damage.
 7. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein once the safety routine has been carried out, the coverslipping machine (1) is switchable back into a normal operating mode, the control apparatus (13) permitting switching back only if a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid no longer exists and/or if the electrical energy reservoir (12) is in a predetermined or predeterminable minimum charge state.
 8. The coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein a. once the safety routine has been carried out, the control apparatus (13) switches automatically back into a normal operating mode when it detects that a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid no longer exists; or b. once the safety routine has been carried out, the control apparatus (13) switches automatically back into a normal operating mode when it detects that a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid no longer exists, and the electrical energy reservoir (12) is in a predetermined or predeterminable minimum charge state.
 9. A system which comprises a coverslipping machine (1) according to claim 1 and a further automated machine (16) for processing or investigating biological samples, the further automated machine (16) being configured to be connected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as a load, the coverslipping machine (1) and the further automated machine (16) being electrically connected or connectable in such a way that electrical energy is transferable from the energy reservoir (12) of the coverslipping machine (1) to the further automated machine (16), and/or that electrical energy is transferable from the further automated machine (16) to the coverslipping machine (1).
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the further automated machine (16) comprises a further electrical energy reservoir (18); and the coverslipping machine (1) and the further automated machine (16) are electrically connected or connectable in such a way that electrical energy is transferable from the further energy reservoir (18) to the coverslipping machine (1), and/or that electrical energy is transferable from the coverslipping machine (1) to the further automated machine (16).
 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the further automated machine a. removes samples from a magazine and respectively carries out a processing process in which at least one processing step is carried out, and then deposits the processed sample in the magazine or in a further magazine; and b. comprises a further electronic control apparatus (19) which detects disruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switches over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from the further electrical energy reservoir (18), and which carries out a further safety routine that includes at least the safety steps of completing the processing of samples that are already in the processing process, and then conveying the completely processed samples into a secure position.
 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the further automated machine a. receives samples that are arranged in magazines and carries out, on the samples respectively arranged in a magazine, a processing process in which at least one processing step is carried out, and then outputs the magazine having the collectively processed samples; and b. comprises a further electronic control apparatus (19) which detects disruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switches over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from the further electrical energy reservoir (18), and which carries out a further safety routine that includes at least the safety steps of completing the processing of samples in magazines that have samples already in the processing process, and then conveying such magazines into a safe position.
 13. The system according to claim 9, wherein a. the control apparatus (13), or a further control apparatus (19) of the further automated machine (16), automatically establishes the electrical connection when the control apparatus (13) or the further control apparatus (19) detects a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid; or b. the control apparatus (13) automatically establishes the electrical connection when the control apparatus (13) detects a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and ascertains that a current charge state of the energy reservoir (12) is predicted to be insufficient for carrying out the safety routine; or c. the further control apparatus (19) of the further automated machine (16) automatically establishes the electrical connection when the further control apparatus (19) detects a disruption in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and ascertains that a current charge state of the further energy reservoir (18) is predicted to be insufficient for carrying out the further safety routine.
 14. The system according to claim 9, wherein a. the control apparatus (13) controls the transfer of electrical energy from the coverslipping machine (1) to the further automated machine (16) and/or the transfer of electrical energy from the further automated machine (16) to the coverslipping machine (1), in particular in accordance with demand; or b. a further control apparatus (19) of the further automated machine controls the transfer of electrical energy from the coverslipping machine (1) to the further automated machine (16) and/or the transfer of electrical energy from the further automated machine (16) to the coverslipping machine (1), in particular in accordance with demand.
 15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the control apparatus (13) and a further control apparatus (19) of the further automated machine (16) together control the transfer of electrical energy from the coverslipping machine (1) to the further automated machine (16) and/or the transfer of electrical energy from the further automated machine (16) to the coverslipping machine (1), in particular in accordance with demand.
 16. The system according to claim 11, wherein a. the control apparatus (13) transfers data regarding the charge state of the energy reservoir (12), and/or the remaining operating time of the energy reservoir (12), and/or the predicted energy demand for carrying out the safety routine of the coverslipping machine (1), to the further control apparatus (19); or b. the further control apparatus (19) transfers data regarding the charge state of the further energy reservoir (18), and/or the remaining operating time of the further energy reservoir (18), and/or the predicted energy demand for carrying out the safety routine of the further automated machine, to the control apparatus (13).
 17. The system according to claim 9, wherein the further automated machine (16) is an automatic scanner (28) or an embedding machine (25) or an automatic microtome (26) or a stainer or an automatic processor (24) or a further coverslipping machine. 